All,
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Dieter Schliemann,
KX4Y.
Those that knew Dieter recognized that he was a "class act"---a great
gentleman and colleague who will be sorely missed by all. Dieter was
instrumental in leading and supporting many key activities in AMSAT and on
the ARISS program.
For ARISS, Dieter led the school contact IRLP/Echolink initiative. Through
this amateur radio VOIP system, Dieter and his team substantially extended
our reach of the school contacts. And through his efforts, tens of
thousands of school students and ham radio operators, world-wide, could
listen to other school contacts, enhancing education and giving all a better
understanding of what it is like to live and work on ISS. Dieter's
diplomacy, teambuilding skills and attention to the details were impeccable
and were well respected within the team. He rose to the challenge when I
asked him to lead the IRLP/Echolink team. At the time, there were strong,
divergent opinions on the use of IRLP and Echolink on ARISS. He
singlehandedly developed a cohesive team that is producing great results and
are enjoying working together.
Over the past couple of years, Dieter fought a long and courageous battle
with Cancer. A month ago, all of us thought he was on the road to recovery.
Unfortunately, that did not come to pass. Through it all, Dieter remained
the gentle, caring person that we all have grown to love. And during his
illness, he remained dedicated to his AMSAT and ARISS causes and
responsibilities. When he received the surprising news from the doctors
that he had only two weeks to live and despite being weak from a long
hospitalization, Dieter got on the e-mail and worked a transition plan to
ensure the IRLP/Echolink capabilities on ARISS continues. What a great,
compassionate, loving human being!
I first met Dieter behind the AMSAT Booth at Dayton, where he was one of the
mainstay individuals supporting AMSAT efforts at the Hamvention. Reflecting
on Dieter's support to AMSAT, AMSAT Board Member Gould Smith, WA4SXM,
stated, "Two years ago Dieter told me that the only reason he came to Dayton
was to work in the AMSAT booth and to talk with people about AMSAT". And he
supported AMSAT in many other ways, including his efforts as an Area
Coordinator, where he mentored a countless number of satellite enthusiasts.
We are eternally grateful for all Dieter has done for AMSAT and the ARISS
program. And will miss him dearly.
On behalf of the ARISS and AMSAT teams, we wish to express our deepest
sympathy to the Schliemann family and friends. Especially his wife Tina and
his good friend Ron Arsenault, N1NYR, who helped Dieter and the Schliemann
family throughout Dieter's long illness.
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs
ARISS International Chairman
